The Spencer Journal

01/30/2025

Spencer Selectboard discusses a potential Proposition 2 ½ overri*de to address rising school costs, health insurance increases, and pension obligations. Here's what it could mean for the town budget.

SPENCER – Kicking off a Proposition 2 ½ override discussion, Town Administrator Jeff Bridges referred to “two numbers that went the wrong way for us this week.” At the January 27 Board of Se…

01/27/2025

SPENCER/EAST BROOKFIELD - Two David Prouty High School indoor track relay teams placed fourth at the MSTCA Coaches Invitational Meet at Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Boston over the weekend. They competed against Division 3,4, & 5 Small Schools. The outstanding showing included the 4 x 200 relay team of Zoe Barnett, Morgan Kates, Elyse Da Silva and Grace Kates earning that fourth placement with a time of 1:53....

SPENCER/EAST BROOKFIELD – Two David Prouty High School indoor track relay teams placed fourth at the MSTCA Coaches Invitational Meet at Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Boston over …

01/24/2025

The Board of Selectmen is strategizing for a potential Proposition 2 ½ override request, focusing on learning from past mistakes and creating a clear plan to engage voters. Here's what was discussed at their latest meeting.

SPENCER – At the January 22 meeting, the Board of Selectmen agreed they must to learn from mistakes of the past and design a well-executed plan to get voters on board with any Proposition 2 …

01/23/2025

Selectmen: Public safety is budget priority

SPENCER – Public safety must be the town’s priority when it comes to allocating resources, according to members of the Board of Selectmen. During a January 22 meeting, members talked about a…

01/23/2025

Spencer Cable Access will now broadcast public meetings on both channels 192 and 194 due to ongoing audio issues on channel 194. Audio works correctly on channel 192. Meetings can also be viewed online at Facebook.com/spencercableaccess or SCATV.org.
If you notice any technical issues with our broadcast, please report them by emailing [email protected] or calling/texting 774-371-4214. We appreciate your patience as we address these challenges.

01/18/2025

Fire Department offers two new programs

SPENCER – The community has recently experienced its share of fires and it is a topic on the minds of many people. To enhance safety, the Spencer Fire Department is offering two new programs…

01/03/2025

Progress is being made on the new David Prouty High School building project! Milestones, design updates, and even plans for a time capsule were discussed during the recent committee meeting. Learn more about the developments and what’s next for this highly anticipated project.

SPENCER/EAST BROOKFIELD – The team working on the new David Prouty High School building project highlighted milestones, approved change orders and discussed topics including installation of …

01/03/2025

Spencer’s nonprofits and residents are benefiting from ARPA funds as the town allocates support for local organizations and individual needs. Learn how these funds are being distributed and the impact on the community.

SPENCER – Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) took center stage at the Board of Selectmen’s meeting on December 16. A committee devoted to reviewing applications from local nonpro…

01/03/2025

Spencer and neighboring communities are exploring a shift to a regional 911 dispatch system to improve public safety services and address staffing challenges. Residents are invited to share their thoughts via a survey on the Spencer Police and Fire Department pages. Learn more about the discussions and what's next in the planning process.

SPENCER – Spencer’s police and fire/emergency departments are among five communities contemplating changing to a regional dispatch system. A survey to garner input from residents is located …

12/29/2024

First Congregational Church of Spencer moves closer to re-building

In a month or two, Rev. Bruce MacLeod, interim pastor at the First Congregational Church of Spencer, anticipates the next steps will be taken to rebuild the church when the project is referred to …

12/23/2024

Fire destroys two homes, damages third

SPENCER – Spencer firefighters, with assistance from mutual aid, responded to a multiple alarm fire on Dec. 22, that started on 4 East Avenue and quickly spread. The fire destroyed two home…

12/11/2024

SEBRSD out of fiscal oversight.

SPENCER/EAST BROOKFIELD – The Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District’s fiscal oversight has officially been terminated. At the December 10 School Committee meeting, Superintendent …

12/11/2024

Malone resigns as principal of DPHS.

SPENCER/EAST BROOKFIELD – Nate Malone, principal at David Prouty High School, addressed the Spencer-East Brookfield School Committee on December 10, following his decision to retire at semes…

12/05/2024

SPENCER/EAST BROOKFIELD - The Spencer-East Brookfield School Building Committee on November 21 voted to approve funding for furniture and other expenses and heard work and financial updates about the $116 million David Prouty High project. Kristian Whitsett of Jones Whitsett Architects said “there is nothing as complicated as bidding out furniture,” when presenting a $1,137,921 list to proceed with purchase orders....

SPENCER/EAST BROOKFIELD – The Spencer-East Brookfield School Building Committee on November 21 voted to approve funding for furniture and other expenses and heard work and financial updates …

12/03/2024

SPENCER - During a brief selectmen’s meeting on December 2, the board approved a state grant related to the route 9 water main, approved an agreement for the building part of the highway department salt shed and handled other business. Utilities and Facilities Superintendent Peter Boria said the water main area starts at Water Street and goes west “just over the 7-mile bridge just before you get to the (route) 49 intersection.”...

SPENCER – During a brief selectmen’s meeting on December 2, the board approved a state grant related to the route 9 water main, approved an agreement for the building part of the highway dep…

11/25/2024

SPENCER - The Board of Selectmen on November 18 adopted a single use tax rate of $11.74 for residential and commercial/industrial/personal properties. Their decision followed a presentation by Principal Assessor Linda LeBlanc that outlined options for exemptions related to small commercial, open space and residential (vacation homes/non-owner-occupied properties), which the board did not approve. For an average value home in FY25 of $393,738, taxes would total $4,622 or $327 more than the previous fiscal year....

SPENCER – The Board of Selectmen on November 18 adopted a single use tax rate of $11.74 for residential and commercial/industrial/personal properties. Their decision followed a presentation…